Buffalo Comedy: There are comedy events happening all over Buffalo this weekend. The Comedy Buzz is your guide to comedy in WNY.

By Jason Pomietlasz

Overheard while hanging out on the patio of my favorite cafe, “I think Buffalo just got a new roadside attraction, North America’s biggest moron.” I missed the reason why this person unleashed such a barb on their companion, but I do know the cure for such pent-up rage is going to see live comedy.

Thursday, April 16

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo.
Improv Mixer, a relaxed environment to try out improv or just to watch. Sign-ups at 6:45 p.m., 7 p.m. start. $5 suggested or pay what you can. 

Mr. Goodbar, 1110 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 8 p.m. Free.
Open mic comedy on the second floor. Sign-ups at 7 p.m, hosted by the above average height Bennett Solowski.

The Wood and Wine’s Comic Strip, 25 N. Johnson Parkway, Buffalo. 7 p.m., free. 

A brand newish open mic in the Elmwood area hosted by Mamudu Kargbo. With “comic” in the name of the venue, how could they not have an open mic? Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7:30 p.m., tickets $32.99 – 184.99 (Couples package).

Fiona Cauley uses her humor to give people insight into what life is like as a disabled female comic. Cauley is a regular at Zanies Comedy Club, the Comedy Mothership Club and is a frequent guest on “Kill Tony.” 

Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect Street, Niagara Falls. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $10.  

Comedy Night at the Hard Rock Cafe, whose first location was housed in a converted Rolls Royce dealership. This month’s lineup is Mike Shanks, Annamarie DePalma, Josh Pryon, Rick Matthews and host Andrew Joslyn.

Friday – Sunday, April 17 – 19

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 4 & 4:15 p.m., tickets $33.99 – 190.99 (Couples package).

Tony Rock will perform five shows this weekend at Helium. Rock has seven siblings, including Chris Rock, who helped Tony hone his sense of humor and he has since forged his own path in comedy. Besides continuously touring, Rock played Uncle Ryan in “Everyone Hates Chris” and co-starred in the CBS series “Living Biblically.”

Friday, April 17 

Buffalo Comedy Collective, 155 Chandler Street, Buffalo. 

Comedy Sportz match-up. Two teams “competitively” play short form improv games with suggestions from the audience, who also decides the winner. 7 p.m., tickets $18. 

The BCC Shorties hit the stage with host and coach, Sal Winston, for a fast-paced shortform show and all they need is suggestions from the audience. 9 p.m., tickets $12.

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo. 

The Happy Hour Improv Jam. Try improv for the first time with experienced improvisers or practice what you have already learned. 6:30 p.m., tickets $5 or pay what you can. 

BIH’s Collider teams “ Bedelia” and “Hannah Montana” will perform. 7:30 p.m., tickets $8 presale or $10 general admission. 

Good Neighbors, a monthly show featuring notable Buffalonians telling stories which improvisers use to craft scenes, with proceeds going to charity. This month will celebrate Autism Acceptance month, with a full cast of neurodivergent improvisers telling their own stories, raising money for Aspire of WNY. 8:30 p.m., tickets $20 presale, $25 general admission or pay-what-you-can at the door.

Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave., downstairs, Buffalo. 8 p.m., tickets starting $18.54.

That Comedy Show at Babeville, is a monthly showcase of different comics from Buffalo and surrounding areas to make jokes in the 9th Ward. This month will feature Connor Mink, Dario Joseph, Andy Ticco, Kai Von Doom, Brody Walsh and Jacob Morrison will host. 

Kenan Center, 433 Locust St., Lockport. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $21.40.

Kenan After Dark. Lockport’s stand up comedy show with local comedians, a bar, and a free drink with each ticket. Hosted by Cat Mattis and featuring Connor McCann and Jake Piskor.

Saturday, April 18 

Buffalo Comedy Collective, 155 Chandler Street, Buffalo. 

ComedySportz Saturday match-up. Two teams “competitively” play short form improv games with suggestions from the audience, who also decides the winner. 7 p.m., tickets $18. 

Comedy After Dark. Three local indie long form teams will perform 20-30 minute sets based on audience suggestions then everyone will come together for a final mix-up set. This event is 18+ due to the group’s ability to use adult theming and language within their performances. 9 p.m., tickets $18. 

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo.

Musical Improv Mixer, sign-up to try musical improv, maybe for the first time. You will be paired with a fellow improviser and the scene will lead into song, facilitated by the host. 7 p.m., tickets $5.

The Movie, From Memory, The Musical, featuring “Various Factors” with Opening Act “Glitter Glamour.” Think of all the great movies that have been made into musicals in the past few years; Back to the Future, Death Becomes Her, Frozen, etc. Bring the title of your favorite movie and watch it be turned into a musical with songs, dialogue and choreography made up on the spot. 8 p.m., tickets $20 presale or $25 general admission.

Monday, April 20

Tudor Lounge, 335 Franklin Street, Buffalo, 8:30 p.m. 

Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Start your week by hearing new premises and jokes. Once again hosted by the venerable Don Johnson with a bucket draw. Sign-ups at 7 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, April 21

Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen Street, Buffalo, 9 p.m. Free

Rust Belt Comedy Showcase, Buffalo’s longest running comedy show hosted by Jake Samson and Jake Piskor, also known as the two Jakes. Sign-ups at rustbeltcomedy.weebly.com. Free. 

Third Space Cafe & Entertainment, 777 Main St., Buffalo, 7 p.m.

The Early Bird Comedy Open Mic. The first mic of Tuesdays hosted by Brody Walsh and Connor Mink. Sign-ups start at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Wednesday, April 22

Milkie’s Elmwood Lounge, 522 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo. 

Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Sign-ups at 7 p.m. or online, show starts at 9-ish p.m. Hosted by the super funny Jesse Winterhalter. Free. 

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7:30 p.m., tickets $38.99 – 194.99 (Couples package).

Kevin James Thornton brings his heartfelt stories about growing up gay in a small religious town, dating, college life in the 90s and finding self-acceptance and happiness. Thornton has over 700k followers and 100-million video views on social media.

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Have a comedy event you want to add, email lakeeffectcomedy@gmail.com.

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